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January 31, 2014

In October 2013, Amazon CARES supporter Kristi Emerson traveled to Peru and adopted Mama, a dog from our no-kill dog shelter. Here is Mama's story as told by Kristi.

A year and a half ago I woke up one night because I couldn't
sleep, so I got up to watch some TV. There was a story on about Peru, and to be
honest, I wasn't even sure where Peru was. I was drawn to the TV and I knew I
had to go there, so I got out my computer and booked a ticket right then and
there. My friend said I was crazy to go to Peru all by myself not speaking any
Spanish. I visited the usual tourist sites such as Cusco, the Sacred Valley,
and of course the rainforest.

Iquitos was like being in a different country! I stayed at the floating
Camiri Hostel and the owner at that time, Marcel, said that with me being such
an animal and vegetarian activist, I should visit the Amazon CARES vet clinic
and no-kill shelter. He took me to meet Bruno and he gave me a map to the
shelter so I could go volunteer walking the dogs. It was the best experience of
my entire trip. I was home a month and was already planning my next trip to
Amazon CARES.

Kristi at the CARES no-kill shelter.

On my third trip to Peru, and third visit to Amazon CARES, I took a friend with
me. On our last day at the shelter we were walking the dogs and this one little,
skinny red dog kept following us with every dog we walked. We were commenting
on how smart she was because she stayed right with us even though she wasn't on
a leash. At the end of the day I think she sensed we were about to leave. She
jumped in my arms and was giving me kisses like you see in the picture as if to
say please don't go.

When the moto taxi arrived, she kept jumping in it to go
with us! As we pulled out of the gate and headed down the little road something
told me to look back. There was Mama running full speed down the road after us
on her little injured leg with Harri running after her! My friend and I were
crying like we had never cried before. After a few minutes when we were out of
sight I couldn't get her out of my mind running after us, so I told the taxi
driver to stop and turn around. My friend told me to be reasonable as we had no
idea how to get a dog out of a foreign country and our flight home was in five
hours!

Mama Bear

I had the moto taxi driver take me straight to the Amazon CARES clinic to find
out what I needed to do to bring Mama back home with me. Delta would not allow
me bring her back on my flight and I was devastated! Once I was home I could
not stop thinking about that sweet little dog chasing after me and I knew I had
to go back for her! I planned another trip to Peru to go get my little Mama Bear
and I was even able to gather medical supplies to donate to the clinic this
time. Even with plenty of time to prepare, getting Mama Bear back to the states
was still a daunting task as things in Iquitos do not move as quickly and
smoothly as they do here in the states! But with the help of Veronica and Bruno
I was able to make it happen!

Shannon the US Director of Amazon CARES just so happened to also be in Iquitos
at the same time. Shannon went to the shelter and brought Mama Bear back to the
clinic. When Mama Bear saw me it was as if she remembered who I was and knew I
was coming back for her. The hostel I was staying at would not let me have Mama
with me, as I wanted her to stay with me for the remainder of my trip so she
could get used to me before our multiple flights home. So I found a hostel
that would with the help of Bruno. I will never forget what it was like to
watch Mama Bear eat out of her very own dog food bowl for the first time, and
to sleep on a nice comfortable bed in an air-conditioned room. She seemed to be
so at peace, and so was I! We were just meant to be!

Kristi and Mama reunited at last!

We spent the next few days together taking long walks around the city of
Iquitos until her final adoption papers were ready. I was such a proud mama on
the day that I signed her adoption papers.

Once we got back to Tennessee, little Mama Bear’s life drastically changed. She
had her first trip to the Sonic drive-through, and by the way, she loves tater
tots! I introduced her to my other three animals as I have two dogs and a
seven-month-old kitten, and it was as if she had always been a part of our
family, no adjustment time needed. Mama Bear is partial, however, to my seven-month-old
kitten Meow Meow, as they are best friends! They do everything together!

Mama and Meow Meow.

Mama Bear has since gained a lot of weight and she is very happy and loves to
spend her days playing outside and playing with her toys. And of course taking
her daily naps in my arms on my lap! I do believe it was fate that night that I
couldn't sleep and I got up to watch TV. Because there was a missing part of my
family and that part was in Peru, at Amazon CARES! I cannot express my deep
gratitude for everyone at Amazon CARES for helping me bring my Mama Bear home,
home to her family!

January 21, 2014

Renya was rescued off the streets by a client of Amazon CARES. She has mange and an old
fracture in one of her limbs. With your support, we can give Reyna the veterinary care she needs and find her the loving home she deserves! Please consider donating towards Reyna's care today via PayPal (sponsor@amazoncares.org) or on her fundraising page.

January 18, 2014

Juda recently arrived at our veterinary clinic unable to walk due to being hit by a MotoKar. He also has mange and is underweight. With your help, we hope to at the very least keep Juda comfortable and pain-free, but possibly even regain some (or all!) ability to walk. Please consider donating towards Juda's care today via PayPal at sponsor@amazoncares.org or through Juda's fundraising page.

January 17, 2014

Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education, and Safety (CARES) is the first, and only, domestic animal charity in Peru's Amazon River Basin. Since 2004, we have been working to not only improve the health of the area's dogs and cats, but also help reduce pet overpopulation. In addition, our educational talks and presence in local media help to promote responsible pet ownership along with the humane treatment of animals. Our work is possible thanks to our supporters who donate and share our cause. We had a very successful 2013 thanks to our hard-working volunteers and our generous supporters. With your continued support, we will achieve even more in 2014!

2013 Totals

Spays/Neuters: 800

Medical treatments: 2425

Dogs adopted: 73

Cats adopted: 46

Dogs rescued: 102

Cats rescued: 66

Media interviews: 39

News articles: 29

Educational presentations: 30

Support the work of Amazon CARES today by making a donation via PayPal at sponsor@amazoncares.org. Or via Crowdrise.